Yangon (Myanmar) [India], April 11 (HBTV): The Indian Embassy in Myanmar on Thursday confirmed the repatriation of 32 Indian nationals who were victims of scam operations in the Myawaddy region.
In an official statement, the Embassy reiterated its warning against fraudulent job offers and emphasised that unauthorised movement across the Myanmar-Thailand border is illegal and may result in future entry bans.
Sharing a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar stated: ‘32 Indian nationals, victims of Myawaddy scam compounds, repatriated thru’ Mae Sot today. We re-emphasize our advice against such job offers and caution that entry/exit without border immigration in Myanmar/Thailand is illegal and can lead to future entry restrictions.’
Earlier in February, Voice of America had reported that Myanmar’s scam operations were expanding south along Thailand’s border and would likely continue as long as they maintain access to SIM cards, Starlink satellites, electricity, and essential human resources — namely, the scammers.
Thailand’s opposition People's Party lawmaker Rangsiman Rome told VOA that the Myawaddy area, opposite the Thai border town of Mae Sot, has become the ‘global capital’ of scams. Rangsiman, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Border Affairs, added: ‘We are talking about an empire. They have scammed more than the entire gross domestic product of some countries, and there is no end to their operations in sight,’ estimating that around 3,00,000 scammers are operating in at least 40 major compounds.
Earlier in July 2024, eight Indian nationals — victims of a scam centre in Hpa Lu, Myawaddy — were successfully rescued and handed over to Myanmar police and immigration authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Thailand has been actively warning Indian nationals about the dangers of accepting job offers without proper verification, especially those requiring illegal border crossings into Myanmar. The Embassy continues to work in close coordination with local authorities to address these challenges and protect Indian citizens abroad.
(ANI)